Euthanasia

International Journal of Cardiology 81 (2001) 97 www.elsevier.com / locate / ijcard

Letter to the Editor

Euthanasia J. Warren 5 Stirrupgate, Worsley M28 2 UL, UK

Seely’s letter [1] calls attention to the controversial subject of euthanasia. As I see it we, elderly people, all carry a final and irrevocable death sentence, the question being, when it will be carried out and what form will it take. Euthanasia, in effect, is bargain hunting. We are willing to sacrifice some days or months or years of tolerable life for the assurance that death, when it comes, will be quick and painless. The duty of the medical profession should be to help us make the right decision. They should study death like any other aspect of disease, should be able

to advise us to make the right choice and supply the means to carry euthanasia out when it is called for. Instead, the present medical attitude to euthanasia is based largely on prejudice.

References [1] Seely S. An old man’s plea for the legalisation of euthanasia. Int J Cardiol 2001;78:93–4.

0167-5273 / 01 / $ – see front matter  2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S0167-5273( 01 )00533-2